Searching the Scriptures

Reading: “The Blessing of Scripture,” Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, April 2010 General Conference, Saturday Afternoon Session

In 1536 William Tyndale was put to death for publishing and English version of the bible. Today, the bible is available in almost every language and anyone can obtain a copy for not very much money. Modern media outlets such as television, magazines, and the internet make it possible for us to hear an unprecedented amount of information from our spiritual leaders. However, today fewer and fewer people are interested in hearing the word of God. Elder Christofferson says,

Scripture tutors us in principles and moral values essential to maintaining civil society, including integrity, responsibility, selflessness, fidelity, and charity. In scripture, we find vivid portrayals of the blessings that come from honoring true principles, as well as the tragedies that befall when individuals and civilizations discard them. Where scriptural truths are ignored or abandoned, the essential moral core of society disintegrates and decay is close behind. In time, nothing is left to sustain the institutions that sustain society.

For the past few days I have been listening to an audiobook about the recent subprime mortgage loan crisis. This was largely caused by banks giving loans to people who could not afford them so that they could then sell those loans to others for a profit. As a result, many of the recipients of those loans went bankrupt, as well as the companies who bought the loans, and our entire world financial system was shaken. It seems to me that it is through a lack of scriptural truths, which teach respect and love for your neighbor, that our financial institution was wounded. As our society continues to disregard scriptural truths we can only expect such deterioration to continue.

The scriptures have been a great source of help in my life. Through the scriptures I have learned how to make choices that will make me happy in the long term, instead of choosing instant gratification that will lead to trouble eventually.

Can you think of any other examples of society problems being caused by a lack of scriptural truths? How can you personally better build your life on the foundation of the scriptures?